The Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) women in Gombe State have appealed to Governor Inuwa Yahaya to publicly release the findings of the commission of inquiry into the 2021 Billiri crisis, a report they say is crucial to achieving justice and transparency.
During a recent meeting in Billiri, the women expressed frustration over the continued portrayal of the crisis as a religious conflict. They clarified that their peaceful protest in 2021 was misrepresented and ultimately hijacked by individuals with malicious intent. According to the TCDA, the protest began in response to rumors that the governor planned to impose a controversial candidate as the community’s traditional leader, the Mai Tangle. When unidentified individuals infiltrated the demonstration, violence erupted, leading to destruction of businesses and worship centers.
The women stressed that, while the government has compensated those who suffered property losses, the inquiry report should be made public to address broader community grievances. They also urged the governor to ensure that the “innocently detained” individuals are released, calling for the prosecution of the actual instigators behind the crisis.
“We are mothers, and it pains us deeply to see our children wrongly imprisoned for crimes they did not commit,” said Mrs. Mary Simon, a spokesperson for the group. “We urge the government to find the true offenders and free those unjustly detained.”
Malama Elizabeth, another TCDA member, spoke about the severe hardships faced by the families of the detainees, including loss and trauma, stating that some families have lost parents to depression due to the ongoing detentions.
The TCDA women further highlighted that Governor Yahaya’s later decision to install the same unpopular candidate as Mai Tangle validated their initial concerns. They urged him to prioritize releasing the inquiry report and to address the long-standing grievances of the Tangale community.
